Tag Archives: poetry

Penblwyddd Hapus – and wishing you all a very Happy New Year

I know it’s been almost a year but 2025 has been quite a rollercoaster ride. Here’s hoping that 2026 will be smoother with more ups than downs. I will be offering plenty more on the story of my life. I seem to remember we were in Anglesey in 1977 when things took a bit ofContinue reading “Penblwyddd Hapus – and wishing you all a very Happy New Year”

Ding dong the Bells had the literary world in a muddle

In 1847 three books were published by authors with the surname Bell. There was Currer Bell, Acton Bell and Ellis Bell. Literary stalwarts, reviewers and those in the publishing world immediately smelled a rat, but they were on the wrong track. They suspected the books were all written by one person – a man. WhatContinue reading “Ding dong the Bells had the literary world in a muddle”

Poetry or song? It’s just words

The other day I gave you the lyrics of a Bob Dylan song from 57 years ago and suggested that lyrics are basically poetry without words. Then again some of the finest lyricists in the world are really poets first who then have their poetry put to music. This does not mean all poems couldContinue reading “Poetry or song? It’s just words”

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Robert Browning 1812-1889 Hamelin town’s in Brunswick, By famous Hanover city; The river Weser, deep and wide, Washes its wall on the southern side; A pleasanter spot you never spied; But, when begins my ditty, Almost five hundred years ago, To see the townsfolk suffer so From vermin, was a pity. Rats! They fought theContinue reading “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”

Death Be Not Proud

by John Donne Death be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadfull, for, thou art not soe, For, those, whom thou think’st, thou dost overthrow, Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill mee. From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee, Much pleasure, then from thee, much more mustContinue reading “Death Be Not Proud”

Poetry: so much more than just words on a page

I love poetry. I loved poetry since before I loved Shakespeare I have loved poetry since before I can remember. It is highly likely my first poem was actually a nursery rhyme. Maybe “Hickory Dickory Dock” or “Ring a’ring of Roses”. By the time I reached primary school I was already reading poetry from booksContinue reading “Poetry: so much more than just words on a page”

La Belle Dame Sans Merci

by John Keats Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight, Alone and palely loitering; The sedge is withered from the lake, And no birds sing. Ah, what can ail thee, wretched wight, So haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel’s granary is full, And the harvest’s done. I see a lily on thy brow, With anguishContinue reading “La Belle Dame Sans Merci”